Choosing to be honest or dishonest does something to our character. Lying makes us liars. Cheating makes us cheaters. But being honest frees us to be real. Learn more . . .

Click play for a sampling of "In Search of Character"

"In Search of Character"
The Series

This award winning video series spotlights ten core virtues that help teens develop into caring, respectful, responsible people who make choices based on what's right, rather than what they can get away with.Learn more . . .

For more information about individual videos in this series, click on the title below.

To find elementary and middle school teaching guides on topics related to Honesty, click here.

WRITING ASSIGNMENTS

1. Pick any question from the discussion
questions (above) and write an essay on it.

2. Select an advertisement from a magazine or newspaper, or from radio or TV. Analyze it for honesty:

-Does it explicitly say anything you think is untrue? Is it trying to make you believe something that might not be true? Is it lying by omission, i.e. leaving out important information that would make a difference to you? Is it misleading in any way? Does it present any half-truths?

-Take any political speech (especially a campaign speech) and analyze it in the same way.

3. What is a phony? How does dishonesty turn people into phonies? What does it mean when you say that a person is "real" or "authentic"? What does being "real" have to do with honesty?

4. What is the relationship between honesty and trustworthiness? Write an essay exploring this relationship.

5. Write an essay about a situation in which you were dishonest (lied, cheated, or stole). Why did it happen? How did you justify it? How did you feel about it at the time? Did it affect any of your relationships? Did it cause any problems for you? How do you feel about it now? What did you learn from it?

6. Write a letter to someone in the news whose honesty has impressed you.

1. Have the students keep an "Honesty-Dishonesty" journal for one week. In this journal, document examples of honesty and dishonesty in everyday life. Keep track of all the times you hear or tell "white lies." Pay particular attention to the media. See what role honesty plays in stories covered in the news. Note how often dishonesty is at the core of TV sitcoms and dramas. At the end of a week, write your conclusions and share them with the class. What did you learn about your own behavior from doing this project?

2. As a class, brainstorm all the excuses and rationalizations people give for lying, cheating, and stealing, and then have a discussion about them. How valid are they? Whats wrong with each of them?

3. Conduct a survey in your school or community asking questions like the following: Do you think people are honest enough? What are some examples of dishonesty you really dislike? What are some examples of honesty that you especially appreciate? Compile the results into a report.

4. Role-play various situations where one or more students are under pressure to be dishonest. Examples: helping a friend cheat on an assignment or exam, or lying to cover up for someone. Put it on videotape and share it with other classes.

5. Create an "honesty" website. Then, contact us (by e-mail ) so we can check it out.